This year is off to a rather good start for me. Those I have enjoyed.... Beyond the Bridge- The Old Man & the Spirit Caligula's Horse- Moments from Ephemeral City Devil's Train- Devil's Train Dimension Act- Manifestations of Progress Epica- Requiem for the Indifferent Furyon- Gravitas Imminent Sonic Destruction- Recurring Themes Iron Fire- Voyage of the Damned Lacuna Coil- Dark Adrenaline Mustasch- Sounds Like Hell, Looks Like Heaven Opera Diabolicus- 1614 Rage- 21 Savage Messiah- Plague of Consciousness Silent Lapse- Birthright Southern Cross- From Tragedy Van Halen- A Different Kind of Truth Xandria- Neverworld's End My favorite tune so far is the 31+ minute melodic prog epic, "Perspectives Chapter 1" by Dimension Act.
I have only got 3 so far this year Cage - Supremacy of Steel Kells - Anachromie Primal Fear - Unbreakable and they have all been awesome, so it seems to be a great year for music.
From your list - I own, or have en route to me the following... Beyond the Bridge- The Old Man & the Spirit Caligula's Horse- Moments from Ephemeral City Dimension Act- Manifestations of Progress Imminent Sonic Destruction- Recurring Themes Silent Lapse- Birthright Xandria- Neverworld's End Caligula's Horse is on top for now. I also have the new Lord Of Mushrooms on the way. Epica is a blind buy. Southern Cross has moved to the purchase list too. Still debating Effloresce (Shuteye Wanderer may be worth the price alone). Todd
From your list that I am enjoying also (still waiting for Nuclear Blast to send me a promo for Epica to review): Beyond the Bridge- The Old Man & the Spirit (after listening to this album for 4 months, still my favorite of 2012, gonna take a lot to knock it from the top spot) Dimension Act- Manifestations of Progress Imminent Sonic Destruction- Recurring Themes Hemina - Synthetic Iron Fire- Voyage of the Damned Xandria- Neverworld's End and three that aren't on your list that I am digging as well: Dark Empire - From Refuge to Ruin Diabulus in Musica - The Wanderer Lanfear - This Harmonic Consonance and looking ahead, new albums to come from: Accept Sanctuary Circus Maximus Huntress
Glenn, if you like that new Mustasch album, I seriously recommend you Orange Goblin's new album A Eulogy for the Damned. It's got every bit of the rock 'n' roll ethic of the aforementioned Swedes with the British doom backbone from bands like Cathedral or even the mighty Black Sabbath. The new album shirks a lot of the band's past "psychadelic" leanings for a more streamlined sound. It's good shit. Here's the single (and first track):
They're moving a good bit away from the "stoner metal" moniker with this new release. Their older albums, I definitely know what you're talking about; this new record is just doom metal/rock n roll.
OH. I need to hear this immediately, then. I've been really enjoying the Beyond the Bridge album. Also The Safety Fire and The Omega Experiment's new albums are really bad ass.
So far I'm liking: Alcest - Les Voyages de L'ame Lamb of God - Resolution First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar Beyond the Bridge - The Old Man & The Spirit Lana Del Rey - Born to Die Savage Messiah - Plague of Conscience The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt Ani di Franco - Which Side Are You On Howlin Rain - The Russian Wilds The Omega Experiment - S/T
The new Van Halen really surprised me. It's a killer album. Got the Savage Messiah today, it is awesome. Primal Fear- amazing as usual. Check out the new Foxy Shazam "The Church of Rock and Roll" for something different!
I made myself a Rhapsody playlist with the new Van Halen, Mr. Big and the latest Whitesnake albums. All three are very solid albums and make for a very enjoyable playlist together! ~Brian~
Furyon's Gravitas album looks like a 2010 release. At least I can find where they apparently self published in 2010. Maybe this is a reissue on a label? There are reviews for it at least from back then.
So far, these are my favorites: Sunstorm - Emotional Fire Beyond the Bridge - The Old Man and the Spirit Lanfear - This Hamonic Consonance Van Halen - A Different Kind of Truth Lana Del Rey - Born to Die Devil's Train - S/T Rage - 21 Haven't heard any others i liked(Didn't care for the new Primal Fear), but will check out a few in this thread.
Nice to hear that! I'd suggest: Go for it! There's plenty more than the "epic track" to explore on our album "Coma Ghosts".
The swan song from Woods of Ypres-- Grey Skies and Electric Light-- is also ridiculously morose and awesome.